"Just A Vapor"

 ""Everything is meaningless," says the Teacher, "completely meaningless!"" (Ecclesiastes 1:2 NLT) 

  "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." (James 4:14 KJV)

 Matthew Henry gives a little insight into Solomon's reason for this opening verses, as it is his way of saying that he knows what he is talking about: "But who is it that speaks thus slightly to the world? Is it one that will stand to what it says? Yes. he puts his name to it-saith the preacher. Is it one that was a competent judge? Yes, as much as ever any man was. Many speak contemptuously of the world because they are hermits, and know it not, or beggars, and have it not; but Solomon knew it." 

 When God asked Solomon what he might have given to him, Solomon said he wanted wisdom to be the King over Israel. Then God said, He would give him wisdom; but also bless him with riches and glory! It was God that made the man, placing him into a life of riches, beyond belief. 

 Now, the question we might ask ourselves: Do we believe God knew what Solomon would do with all of that worldly pleasure? It's really not a matter of how far he turned away from God; but what matters most is that he came back to God, realizing the things of this world were meaningless...

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God adideth forever." (1 John 2:15-17 KJV)